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The best and worst foods for hep C

Find out which foods you should (and shouldn't) eat with hepatitis C.

Updated on September 5, 2024

two people eating food, dining outside
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Your liver helps your body in a variety of ways, such as detoxifying your system and turning food into energy and nutrients. But if you have hepatitis C (hep C), your liver may be damaged and may need some extra help doing its job.

Being mindful about what you eat is critical to having a healthy liver. Eating a nutritious diet during hep C treatment will help yourShow More

Someone looking at red wine in a store
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Avoid: alcohol

Just one glass of wine is harmless, right? Not for people with hep C. Even small amounts of alcohol can speed up liver damage, which may lead to other health issues, such as cirrhosis (scarring of the liver), cancer, and liver disease. There’s no safe amount of alcohol that those with hep CShow More

coffee, latte
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Enjoy: coffee and tea

Some studies have shown that coffee can slow the progression of hep C and prevent liver cancer and cirrhosis. One theory is that caffeine may play a role in slowing down the replication process of the hepatitis C virus.

Make sure to drink strong coffee, though. Decaf coffee may not deliver the sameShow More

hand holding vitamins
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Avoid: multivitamins and supplements

Supplements may seem like an easy way to get all the nutrients you need, but if you're not careful, multivitamins can end up doing more harm than good. Getting too much iron or vitamin A, for example, can further damage your liver. And just because a supplement is labeled "all natural" or "herbal"Show More

skillet with whole wheat pasta and grilled vegetables
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Enjoy: whole grains

Whole grains are a healthy source of fiber for everyone, but they're particularly beneficial to people with hep C. Adding more whole grains to your diet can help reduce your risk for diabetes, which people with hep C are more likely to develop.

Whole grains, like brown rice, oats, quinoa, andShow More

french fries and other baskets of fried food
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Avoid: excessive amounts of salt

One of the symptoms of advanced hep C is fluid retention and swelling. To avoid a swollen belly or legs, try to eat a low-sodium diet. Sodium can hide in many processed foods and fast foods, so it’s important to talk to your HCP about how much sodium you should have in your diet and how you can limit added salt.

Someone drinking water
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Enjoy: water

Being adequately hydrated is always a smart choice when it comes to your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no recommended daily amount of water to aim for, as the amount you need depends on many factors. These include the weather, your activityShow More

ice cream
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Avoid: added sugar

If you crave sugar, opt for fruit rather than treats with added sugars. These are added to foods during processing. They don’t naturally occur in foods. Too much added sugar may cause fatty liver disease, weight gain, and insulin resistance. Even some “healthy” forms of sugar such as honey, agave,Show More

someone biting into an apple
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Enjoy: fruits and veggies

As part of a heathy diet, it’s important for everyone to eat fruits and vegetables, but it's especially vital for people with hep C. Plant-based foods contain a variety of flavonoids, compounds that may help the body fight viral infections. Healthy greens and fruits also contain many vitamins andShow More

Someone sprinkling lemon juice on oysters
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Avoid: foods rich in iron

Both the hep C virus and fatty liver disease can cause too much iron to accumulate in the body, potentially leading to worsening liver health and several health issues, such as joint pain, diabetes, and heart failure.

This means that foods high in iron should be avoided by those living with hep C.Show More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

Illinois Department of Central Management Services: Be Well Illinois. Hepatitis and Nutrition. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hepatitis C Basics. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
Wijarnpreecha K, Thongprayoon C, Ungprasert P. Impact of caffeine in hepatitis C virus infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2017 Jan;29(1):17-22.
Liu F, Wang X, Wu G, Chen L, et al. Coffee Consumption Decreases Risks for Hepatic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis: A Meta-Analysis. PLoS One. 2015 Nov 10;10(11):e0142457.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Nutrition in Early Liver Disease. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
Yang WS, Zeng XF, Liu ZN, et al. Diet and liver cancer risk: a narrative review of epidemiological evidence. Br J Nutr. 2020 Aug 14;124(3):330-340.
Jardim ACG, Shimizu JF, Rahal P, et al. Plant-derived antivirals against hepatitis c virus infection. Virol J. 2018 Feb 13;15(1):34.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Your Way to Preventing Type 2 Diabetes. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Water and Healthier Drinks. Page accessed September 5, 2024.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Nutrition in Early Liver Disease. Page accessed November 9, 2023. 
Jensen T, Abdelmalek MF, Sullivan S, et al. Fructose and sugar: A major mediator of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Hepatol. 2018 May;68(5):1063-1075. 
Coronati M, Baratta F, Pastori D, et al. Added Fructose in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and in Metabolic Syndrome: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2022 Mar 8;14(6):1127.
Schmidt SM. The role of iron in viral infections. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2020 Jan 1;25(5):893-911. 
Zou DM, Sun WL. Relationship between Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Iron Overload. Chin Med J (Engl). 2017 Apr 5;130(7):866-871.
Cleveland Clinic. Hemochromatosis (Iron Overload). Page last reviewed January 1, 2021.
Milman NT. Managing Genetic Hemochromatosis: An Overview of Dietary Measures, Which May Reduce Intestinal Iron Absorption in Persons With Iron Overload. Gastroenterology Res. 2021 Apr;14(2):66-80. 

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